whatcausesthedifferentseasonsonearth-ciese.docVIP

What causes the different seasons on Earth? Student Hand-out Creating Initial Models (eliciting student’s prior knowledge). In the box below: Name the different seasons in the U.S. Draw and/or explain what you think causes these seasons. What is your evidence, rationale, or how do you know that? 2. Initial Observations (student’s gathering and/or using observational data) Create a globe using Styrofoam ball or use an existing globe and flashlight. Ask students to put a stem wire or a stick in the middle of the globe to represent the axis. Secure the stem wire by sticking the bottom part to another Styrofoam or a cup of sand; making about 20 degrees tilt from 90 degrees (see diagram below). Observe the amount of light that the North gets from the Sun as the Earth revolves around the Sun. Use the table below to draw and write your observations. Write your observations and explanations below: Experiment on spreading out. Hold the flashlight in one spot (1) directly and (2) at an angle. Draw your observations in the box below. Which one do you think gets more light from the flashlight (and more heat)? Explain. Get a heat lamp and 3 thermometers for each group. Set up the thermometer so that one will get a direct light from the lamp and one partial light. Record your observations and temperature (in degrees Celsius) for 5-10minutes. Direct light from the lamp Indirect Light from the lamp Time (min) Temperature (oC) Time (min) Temperature (oC) Observation Questions: What patterns did you see? What is the difference between the direct light and indirect light? How can you use this knowledge to explain the different seasons? Revise your model. In the box below: a. Name the different seasons in the U.S. Draw and/or explain what you think causes these seasons. What is your evidence, rationale, or how do yo